5 dirtiest items in your home – And how to clean them

Cutting boards

Do you know that the average cutting board has 200 times more fecal bacteria than a toilet seat? This is mainly due to raw meat, and the tiny grooves your knife left on the cutting board are perfect for bacteria breeding grounds.

To thoroughly clean plastic cutting boards, soak them in a solution of 2 teaspoons bleach and 1 gallon of water. For wooden ones, do the same but use 2 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water. Make sure not to soak overnight.

Washing machines

That load of underwear will transfer at least 100 million E. coli bacteria to the washing machine and can contaminate other clothing. Especially for frontloading machines, water settles at the bottom, creating the moist environment bacteria loves.

Disinfect your machine cleaning your washer with bleach at least once a month. Pour 2 cups of bleach into the detergent compartment, and run empty on the hottest cycle before wiping dry and leave the door open after.

Carpets

Rugs are one of germs’ favourite spots – with food particles, pet dander, pollen and dead skin cells, about 200,000 bacteria live in each square inch of your carpet.

Vacuum cleaners are unable to reach to the bottom of the carpet, hence, it is advisable to hire a cleaning company to deep clean at least once a year.

Faucet handles

The average bathroom faucet handle can have 21 times the bacteria of your toilet seat while your kitchen faucet handles can harbor twice the amount of bacteria to that.

Make sure to disinfect and clean regularly using Dettol along with the rest of your sink to make sure washing your hands is not making you dirtier.

Sponges

Sponges harbor the largest amount of E. coli and other fecal bacteria in the average home, mostly because they are not replaced as often as they should.

Each week, toss sponges into the dishwasher, or heat in the microwave, while damp for 30 seconds.

This article was first published in the iProperty.com Malaysia May 2016 Magazine. Get your copy from selected news stands or view the magazine online for free at www.iproperty.com.my/magazine. Better yet, order a discounted subscription by putting in your details in the form below!